Momentum! As we close the year, LMB is busier than ever fighting to improve bicycle safety, safeguarding against attempts to raid non-motorized funding, educating law enforcement, and defending the rights of Michigan cyclists.

2017 has been an exciting year full of positive changes at LMB. We advanced more legislative initiatives in the past year than ever before. This includes bills to enact a 5-foot passing law, include more time devoted to bicycle safety and awareness in drivers ed, expand our state's texting while driving law, and stop senseless tickets to bicyclists simply for having bike racks on their vehicles.

With a year-end gift, you will help us keep the momentum up in 2018 and continue to fight to make Michigan more bicycle-friendly. We hope you will consider making an even bigger impact by contributing to our Annual Campaign and sharing your support of LMB with a cycling a friend.

The Conference's planning committee is hard at work putting together a robust agenda of guest speakers and workshops currently aimed at addressing a diverse group of topics, each related to promoting a safer bicycling culture and experience in Michigan. The planning committee is accepting proposals for session topics from the bicycling community and beyond now through Friday, January 12, 2018.

Information about the Michigan Bicycle Conference can be found on the official conference webpage: www.LMB.org/rollingforward. Further conference information, including registration details, will be available in early 2018, please check back for updates!

On October 29, 2017, Governor Snyder signed LMB's e-bike legislation into law!

This legislation, HB 4781, 4782, and 4783, amends the Michigan Vehicle Code (MVC) to clarify the definition of e-bikes and outlines where e-bikes can be ridden legally on Michigan roadways and trails.

E-bike use has grown rapidly in Michigan creating an urgent need to clarify the classifications and regulations surrounding them. Prior to our legislation, the MVC lacked a definition regarding e-bikes, creating confusion for law enforcement over license and operation requirements, as well as for e-bike users, manufacturers, retailers, trail users, and land use managers.

For the first time ever, LMB helped to foster the growth of bicycling initiatives around the state with the launch of a Micro-Grant Program. The response to the program was overwhelming. This year, LMB was able to narrow down the applicants to ten amazing organizations with unique programs that promote bicycling or bicycling safety in their area. We are pleased to share their stories and how our Micro-Grant funds are helping them further their own missions, moving us all toward a more bicycle friendly state.

One of our Micro-Grant recipients is Norte!, a Traverse City-based organization. Norte! received a Micro-Grant fund to help purchase a utility trailer and balance bikes for their Estrellas youth balance bike program. Norte has notified us that both are in the works and moving forward! Thank you to Ty Schmidt from Norte for telling their story.

“The utility trailer’s function is two-fold. It has been a life saver as we try to make the best use of limited space. We purchased the used trailer from a Norte! supporter. It quickly filled up with stuff, lots of stuff, mostly balance bikes. A volunteer extraordinaire designed an innovative method to hang bikes using cables and crampons for easy access.

The trailer will also be used to transport balance bikes during the winter and spring as Norte! teaches preschool students the basics of balance and coasting. We are continuing to grow this program to include outlying schools in the area. Last year we engaged 240 students in this program. Classes have been taught at the Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS), and we plan to expand to other districts, public and private.

We have also purchased 10 additional balance bikes and have them available to borrow at our weekly summer Estrella meet-ups at the Clubhouse. Families who come enjoy the ease, it is fun and free and attracts many. Volunteers have stepped up and are running this program; greeting families, helping orient kids, making sure those that need helmets and bikes have them available to borrow. We encourage families to come, ride, play and picnic afterward.”

In addition to learning those critical first skills of riding, families are spending quality time together. Priceless!